Hawks dim Stars 6-2

On a night that saw the Blackhawks honor Brad Richards’ 1000 game, the Hawks and the Stars got off to a fast start with a first period that saw everything from goals to a fight to an unfortunate lower body injury to Trevor Van Riemsdyk.

Corey Crawford was in the Hawks nets and Kari Lehtonen in the Stars nets. The Hawks lineup also saw some changes up front as well with Joakim Nordstrom in place of Peter Regin who was sent to Rockford. Daniel Carcillo also returned to the lineup which put Jeremy Morin as a healthy cratch.

The first period had plenty of offense with the Hawks starting the scoring first with a off the two on one rush beauty from Patrick Kane on the near side passing it off to the far post to a wide open Duncan Keith with the tap in past Lehtonen. Kris Versteeg got the other assist on the tally.

The Stars capable of offense as well tied it up with redirect from Curtis McKenzie and then seconds later off of a rebound Shawn Horcoff got another past Crawford for a 2-1 Stars lead.

The Hawks got a power play off a Trevor Daley slashing minor and they cashed in. Brent Seabrook sent a bomb from the blue line with traffic up front that got past Lehtonen to tie the game a two goals apiece. As a sidebar Seabrook needs to just keep blasting from the point especially on the power plays. Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith got the helpers on the goal.

The period ended with a fight between Andrew Shaw and Antoine Roussel that Shaw you’d have to say won and seemed to spark the Hawks.

The second period continues to be not the best for the Hawks but the Stars did not score either. The only scary thing was Brent Seabrook slid back into the backboards hard and was in obvious pain but returned to the game none the worse for wear.

The games balance would be decided in the third period. The Hawks opened the third period on the power play but could not convert. The Hawks were however on the verge of a scoring bonanza which has been scarce for them this year.

The Hawks were able to score when Brad Richards sent a perfect pass to Patrick Kane from a bad angle at the far board high faceoff circle got one past Lehtonen to give the Hawks a 3-2 lead. Kris Versteeg got the other assist on the Kane goal.

Then the Hawks got a signature Jonathan Toews wrap around goal when Lehtonen lost his net as Toews came up with Marian Hossa on the rush for a 4-2 Hawks lead.

A couple of minutes later on beautiful Brad Richards pass from along the far boards found Kris Versteeg along in the slot to blast one past the Stars netminder for a 5-2 Hawks lead. Roszival go the other assist.

Then late in the period perfect passing from Saad to Toews back to Brandon Saad for a 6-2 Hawks lead. Marian Hossa got the secondary assist.

This game you’d have to say the Hawks had much better net front presence and were rewarded with more offense and it opened everything up. If the Hawks can do this on a consistent basis they should enjoy the circus trip which, they will embark on Thursday in Calgary. Have fun on the road boys and come back with loads of wins.

Three Stars of the game:

1. P. Kane

2. D. Keith

3. B. Richards

Next game Thursday, November 20, at 8:00 p.m. CDT vs the Calgary Flames watch on CSN Chicago; or listen via radio on WGN AM720.